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London has the worst school discipline problems in the country with thousands of children thrown out for bad behaviour.
Government figures showed the city had a higher proportion of pupils being expelled for the most serious offences than any other area of England.
In some boroughs, the expulsion rate was more than double the national average. Across London, 1,440 pupils were permanently expelled in 2007-8, 20 more than in the previous year. More than 48,500 were suspended.
Sir Paul Grant, head of Robert Clack school in Dagenham, said teachers had to be "extremely vigilant" about gang culture, knives and drugs. "We cannot tolerate pupils who are destroying the life chances of others," he said.
Across England, 0.11 per cent of the state school population were permanently excluded, representing 8,130 pupils. In London, the rate in inner city boroughs rose this year to 0.14 per cent, the highest in the country.
Islington and Wandsworth had the highest rates of permanent exclusions.
Schools minister Vernon Coaker stressed that permanent exclusions had fallen in recent years.
Reader views (2)
what a surprise.
- Squiz, Islington
The statistics are not going to get any better until you bring back discipline in the schools and at home. You´ve got a mountain to climb, starting with educating parents on the need for discipline. Take it from there .........
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands
